2014 $1600 Gaming PC

InspireMany · Jul 14, 2014

Hey guys I was just wondering if this PC Build ( http://pcpartpicker.com/parts/partlist/ )

will be able play Skyrim & Minecraft (which are the two main games I wish to play) with a bunch of mods and on ultra settings and will also be able to play the current games that are out now on ultra settings with superb frame rate, I also would love for this rig to future proof as much as possible. I also wish to run the Operating System (Windows 7) and games on an SSD.

I'm a big noob when it comes to the correct hardware you would need in order to run games on acceptable frame rate. I am really eager to hopefully build the PC this year the only thing that scares when it comes to building it will be the wiring part, I am afraid that I will get a wire wrong or not even know what to do with one and am going to need to take it to a local computer shop. I just want to know if what I'm going with is fine and will get the job done with out breaking a sweat.

Please look through the parts list and feel free to reply with any questions or which parts I should switch out for better performance that is still relatively close to price of the part and why I should. If everything looks pleasant then please reply with "Looks Great!".

(Budget: $1600)

- Thank You & Have a Great Day!
~ InspireMany

TechCIDLC · Jul 14, 2014

PCPartPicker part list / Price breakdown by merchant

CPU: Intel Core i5-4690K 3.5GHz Quad-Core Processor ($229.99 @ NCIX US)
CPU Cooler: Noctua NH-L9i 57.5 CFM CPU Cooler ($49.99 @ NCIX US)
Motherboard: Asus Z97-A ATX LGA1150 Motherboard ($143.99 @ Amazon)
Memory: A-Data XPG V2 8GB (2 x 4GB) DDR3-1600 Memory ($83.99 @ Amazon)
Storage: Crucial MX100 256GB 2.5" Solid State Drive ($109.99 @ Amazon)
Storage: Western Digital Caviar Blue 1TB 3.5" 7200RPM Internal Hard Drive ($54.99 @ NCIX US)
Video Card: EVGA GeForce GTX 770 2GB Superclocked ACX Video Card ($334.99 @ Amazon)
Case: Corsair 500R White ATX Mid Tower Case ($108.00 @ Newegg)
Power Supply: XFX ProSeries 750W 80+ Gold Certified Fully-Modular ATX Power Supply ($114.99 @ NCIX US)
Operating System: Microsoft Windows 7 Home Premium SP1 (OEM) (64-bit) ($92.99 @ NCIX US)
Total: $1323.91
Prices include shipping, taxes, and discounts when available

You shouldn't spend more than this for a gaming computer. There is room for a nice 1080P monitor in this parts list.

InspireMany · Jul 14, 2014

TechCIDLC :

Will this build run games like Skyrim and Minecraft on ultra setting with mods and run current games with acceptable frame rate on ultra? Also how long do you think the PC will last till I may have to change the parts to run upcoming games?

TechCIDLC · Jul 14, 2014

InspireMany :

TechCIDLC :

Will this build run games like Skyrim and Minecraft on ultra setting with mods and run current games with acceptable frame rate on ultra? Also how long do you think the PC will last till I may have to change the parts to run upcoming games?

This build will run all games, and future ones maxed out @ 1080p smoothly. You shouldn't have any performance flaws with any games.

InspireMany · Jul 14, 2014

TechCIDLC :

InspireMany :

This build will run all games, and future ones maxed out @ 1080p smoothly. You shouldn't have any performance flaws with any games.

Thanks! What do you suggest I would need to add later down the road if I would like to get a second monitor in? What monitor would you recommend for gaming that fits my budget?

Thanks again for taking the time to help me out! (this is going to be my first build)

TechCIDLC · Jul 14, 2014

ASUS's VG248QE is a nice 24" monitor suited for gaming. It has a very high refresh rate and low response time suitable for competitive gaming. Has tilt/height/swivel/pivot adjust, and VESA mounts. It has a twisted nematic.

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16824236313&nm_mc=AFC-C8Junction&cm_mmc=AFC-C8Junction-_-na-_-na-_-na&cm_sp=&AID=10440897&PID=5961731&SID=0

InspireMany · Jul 15, 2014

TechCIDLC :

Does this monitor have speakers built in?

TechCIDLC · Jul 15, 2014

InspireMany :

TechCIDLC :

Does this monitor have speakers built in?

Yep.

InspireMany · Jul 15, 2014

TechCIDLC :

InspireMany :

Yep.

Thank you again for your help, I really appreciate it! If I have any other questions I'll be sure to message you.

InspireMany · Jul 15, 2014

TechCIDLC :

InspireMany :

Yep.

Also since I'm not over clocking would I need the aftermarket CPU cooler?

TechCIDLC · Jul 15, 2014

InspireMany :

TechCIDLC :

Also since I'm not over clocking would I need the aftermarket CPU cooler?

If you're not overclocking, then your processor will perform just fine with its stock cooler.

InspireMany · Jul 15, 2014

TechCIDLC :

What other case what you suggest that's under $120?

I'm not really liking the case you recommended.

I want the case to be in black stealth colors, has a window that will show all my work,

fans built in to keep everything nice and cool, I would also like some LED's that come with case,

I am going to have mainly Razer accessories so either green LED's or anything that would fit nicely would be fine.

~Thanks Again!

TechCIDLC · Jul 15, 2014

InspireMany :

TechCIDLC :

What other case what you suggest that's under $120?

I'm not really liking the case you recommended.

I want the case to be in black stealth colors, has a window that will show all my work,

fans built in to keep everything nice and cool, I would also like some LED's that come with case,

I am going to have mainly Razer accessories so either green LED's or anything that would fit nicely would be fine.

~Thanks Again!

Check this green/black NZXT H440. It has a big window to display all of your work, and looks very nice. The only drawback is that it doesn't have any optical drive bays.

http://www.microcenter.com/product/430113/H440_ATX_Computer_Case_w-_Window

InspireMany · Jul 16, 2014

TechCIDLC :

InspireMany :

Check this green/black NZXT H440. It has a big window to display all of your work, and looks very nice. The only drawback is that it doesn't have any optical drive bays.

http://www.microcenter.com/product/430113/H440_ATX_Computer_Case_w-_Window

Can you estimate the frame rate I would get from this build playing Skyrim & Minecraft both on ultra settings with

an abundant amount of mods?

InspireMany · Jul 16, 2014

Will this case be suitable for my build?

http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B006I2H084?ie=UTF8&camp=1789&creativeASIN=B006I2H084&linkCode=xm2&tag=wwwcareyholzm-20

I know in order to fit, the EVGA GeForce GTX 770 2GB Superclocked ACX Video Card I'm going to need to

remove the drive bays from the NZXT Phantom 410 Case. The case only supports video cards up to 230mm in

length without removing drive bays, while the video card is 254mm long. But will the case still be fine to use

in the build? I will install the hard drives on the two lowest bays so I'm guessing it will still be fine and work.

TechCIDLC · Jul 16, 2014

InspireMany :

Will this case be suitable for my build?

http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B006I2H084?ie=UTF8&camp=1789&creativeASIN=B006I2H084&linkCode=xm2&tag=wwwcareyholzm-20

I know in order to fit, the EVGA GeForce GTX 770 2GB Superclocked ACX Video Card I'm going to need to

remove the drive bays from the NZXT Phantom 410 Case. The case only supports video cards up to 230mm in

length without removing drive bays, while the video card is 254mm long. But will the case still be fine to use

in the build? I will install the hard drives on the two lowest bays so I'm guessing it will still be fine and work.

Yep, that shouldn't be a problem.

nick779 · Jul 16, 2014

I have no idea what TechCIDLC is thinking or what benchmarks hes looking at, but a 770 wont max every game at 1080p. Hell theres games my 780ti cant max at 1080p. When I say max, Im talking ultra graphic settings and the highest AA setting offered. Back when I had a 770 BF4 had to have AA turned OFF in order to run a steady 60+fps at 1080p, and Titanfall would have numerous dips into the 30-40fps range when run on ultra. I had Skyrim Legendary edition with a few high res mods as well and it would easily fill the 2gb of Vram and would sometimes get some jumping around and low fps spikes.

Im not bashing the 770, because it was a dam fine card, but it irritates me when people spread misleading information.

Something else I would consider, get a 750w EVGA Supernova G2 PSU. Theyre based off the Super Flower Leadex platform and are literally one of the best power supplies around that dont cost an arm and a leg.

InspireMany · Jul 16, 2014

nick779 :

It's okay if I wouldn't be able to max out some games, I just want to get a steady frame rate for most games, it

won't bug me to turn down settings just a bit. What I'm trying to do with this build is to run most games on mid high

to ultra settings, of course with some mods here and there (if necessary)

so I'll consider getting a 750w EVGA SupernovaG2 PSU

and switch out the XFX PSU I currently settled with. Other than that do you think my build will be fine?

And thank you for the taking the time to reply.

InspireMany · Jul 16, 2014

Will this PC build out preform this?

http://store.apple.com/us_smb_78313/buy-mac/imac

the 21.5-inch: 2.7GHz version is what I'm currently using lol I know it's a iMac..

nick779 · Jul 16, 2014

InspireMany :

the 770 will be plenty for ultra now, and high down the road. I was pretty happy with the performance of my 770 in just about everything.

InspireMany :

Just about any discrete gpu above a GTX750 will destroy a current imac because they use laptop GPUs in that generation.

As far as your build goes, Id stick with the tried and true Samsung 840 evo ssd which is currently $140 on amazon (I have a few SSDs and the evo is by far the best for the money and lifespan, I havent had good luck with crucial drives besides the m500), and for the CPU cooler I would go with a Cooler Master Hyper 212 EVO for $30, it will easily outperform that noctua.
Ram is up to you, but Ive had good luck with Corsair Vengeance and Gskill ddr3 1600mhz ram

InspireMany · Jul 16, 2014

nick779 :

InspireMany :

the 770 will be plenty for ultra now, and high down the road. I was pretty happy with the performance of my 770 in just about everything.

InspireMany :

Just about any discrete gpu above a GTX750 will destroy a current imac because they use laptop GPUs in that generation.

As far as your build goes, Id stick with the tried and true Samsung 840 evo ssd which is currently $140 on amazon (I have a few SSDs and the evo is by far the best for the money and lifespan, I havent had good luck with crucial drives besides the m500), and for the CPU cooler I would go with a Cooler Master Hyper 212 EVO for $30, it will easily outperform that noctua.
Ram is up to you, but Ive had good luck with Corsair Vengeance and Gskill ddr3 1600mhz ram

Since I'm not over clocking, would I need to buy an after market CPU cooler? What specific RAM would you recommend for my build?

Also will this Samsung SSD fit my build?

http://www.amazon.com/Samsung-Electronics-EVO-Series-2-5-Inch-MZ-7TE250BW/dp/B00E3W1726/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1405550079&sr=8-1&keywords=Samsung+840+Evo

nick779 · Jul 16, 2014

InspireMany :

nick779 :

Since I'm not over clocking, would I need to buy an after market CPU cooler? What specific RAM would you recommend? Also will this Samsung SSD fit my build?

http://www.amazon.com/Samsung-Electronics-EVO-Series-2-5-Inch-MZ-7TE250BW/dp/B00E3W1726/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1405550079&sr=8-1&keywords=Samsung+840+Evo

I would, stock coolers usually run hot, and $30 wont break the bank for a decent cooler. The gskill with the short heat spreaders will be perfect
http://www.amazon.com/G-Skill-PC3-12800-1600MHz-9-9-9-24-F3-12800CL9D-8GBRL/dp/B00339X1EM/ref=sr_1_2?ie=UTF8&qid=1405550631&sr=8-2&keywords=gskill+1600
That ssd is good, its a standard size.

Honestly if you have no intentions of overclocking you may want to consider buying a regular 4690 non k version, but if you think you may overclock sometime in the future the unlocked version is only ~$15 more. Personally getting a haswell chip to 4ghz is very easy if you follow a guide and will complement the 770 nicely

InspireMany · Jul 16, 2014

nick779 :

InspireMany :

I would, stock coolers usually run hot, and $30 wont break the bank for a decent cooler. The gskill with the short heat spreaders will be perfect
http://www.amazon.com/G-Skill-PC3-12800-1600MHz-9-9-9-24-F3-12800CL9D-8GBRL/dp/B00339X1EM/ref=sr_1_2?ie=UTF8&qid=1405550631&sr=8-2&keywords=gskill+1600
That ssd is good, its a standard size.

Honestly if you have no intentions of overclocking you may want to consider buying a regular 4690 non k version, but if you think you may overclock sometime in the future the unlocked version is only ~$15 more. Personally getting a haswell chip to 4ghz is very easy if you follow a guide and will complement the 770 nicely

I thinking of going with this RAM due to the average 5 star 501 reviews and has the same timing as the one you

recommended me -

http://www.amazon.com/Corsair-Vengeance-240-Pin-Platforms-CMZ8GX3M2A1600C9/dp/B004CRSM4I/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1405550444&sr=8-1&keywords=corsair+vengeance+ddr3+1600mhz+2x4GB

And is this CPU cooler you recommend?

http://www.amazon.com/Cooler-Master-Hyper-212-RR-212E-20PK-R2/dp/B005O65JXI

If you could give me a link to the unlocked version and maybe even a tutorial on how to over clock it, that will be great!

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